Government Makes Amendments To Broadcasting Bill

The Government has announced that it will introduce amendments to the Broadcasting Bill which will relax the rules regarding cross-media ownership.

The proposals, put forward by National Heritage minister Lord Inglewood, mean that there will be greater scope for cross-media ownership among local newspaper and radio stations. The development means that one company will be able to own two FM licences and one AM licence or one FM licence and two AM licences in the same area, and that local newspapers controlling up to 50% of local newspaper circulation will be able to own one FM and one AM radio licence in the same area.

The Newspaper Society however believes that the proposals do not go far enough. Director Dugal Nisbet-Smith said: “These minor amendments to the broadcasting bill will benefit some regional and local publishers but they don’t go nearly far enough. The Government has effectively told most regional dailies: you’re still barred from owning radio stations; but if you’re dying you can have three!”

Groups with more than 50% of circulation in an area are still blocked from controlling local radio stations, despite having to compete against national newspaper groups who would be permitted to own such stations.

DNH: 0171 211 6200

Newspaper Society: 0171 636 7014